Wahala dey for Middle East as US President Donald Trump don give Iran 48-hour ultimatum to open Strait of Hormuz or face “all hell.” The warning come as US military carry out one high-risk rescue operation inside Iran to save one airman wey dem shoot down from F-15E fighter jet. Trump talk say the airman, wey be highly respected colonel, dey seriously wounded but now safe after US forces pull am from treacherous mountains wey Iranian military dey hunt am.
Iranian military don reject Trump ultimatum, call am “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action.” General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, wey be spokesman for Iran central military command, warn say “the gates of hell will open for you” if US continue to threaten. Meanwhile, Iran don launch fresh missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries like Kuwait, UAE, and Bahrain. Kuwait say two power and water desalination plants suffer significant damage from Iranian drones, cause two electricity generating units to shut down.
For the rescue operation wey happen, Trump talk say US military use dozens of aircraft with lethal weapons to retrieve the airman wey dey behind enemy lines. The operation involve deception tactics and heavy air cover as special forces enter deep inside Iranian territory. Iran military claim say dem foil the rescue mission and destroy two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters during the operation, but US don confirm say the airman don safe.
The F-15E fighter jet wey dem shoot down na the first US manned aircraft wey enemy fire bring down since the war begin over five weeks ago. The jet pilot don rescue on Friday, but search continue for the second crew member until Sunday morning when Trump announce say “WE GOT HIM!” The president talk say dem no confirm the first rescue earlier because dem no want jeopardize the second operation.
For the broader conflict, Gulf countries continue to face Iranian attacks. UAE defence ministry say dem engage 60 Iranian drones and missiles on Sunday, including 50 drones, nine ballistic missiles and one cruise missile. Since the war begin, UAE say dem face nearly 2,200 Iranian drones and over 500 missiles. Bahrain also report say dem intercept 13 new drones since Saturday, while Saudi defence ministry say dem intercept one cruise missile.
Trump don threaten to hit Iranian electrical facilities and bridges, talk say Tuesday “will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.” The president post on Truth Social say: “Open the F*****’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!” The Strait of Hormuz normally carry one-fifth of world oil, and near-halt in ship traffic don cause oil prices to surge.
Iran don say Iraq go exempt from any restrictions on Strait of Hormuz, but restrictions go apply to enemy countries. Spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari tell state television say: “We announce that our brotherly country of Iraq is exempt from any restrictions we have imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, and these restrictions only apply to enemy countries.”
For other developments, Argentina don expel Iran top diplomat as tensions increase between Iran theocratic regime and Argentina libertarian government wey dey closely aligned with Trump administration. Israel military also say dem go strike area near main crossing between Syria and Lebanon, urge residents to evacuate immediately. The crossing, wey be Masnaa, na vital trade route for both countries.
Pope Leo XIV celebrate first Easter Mass as pontiff with call to exercise hope against “the violence of war that kills and destroys.” The pope talk say “we need this song of hope today” as conflicts spread around the world. With US-Israeli war with Iran for second month and Russia campaign in Ukraine surpass four-year mark, Leo don repeatedly call for halt in hostilities.
Economic fallout from the war don begin ripple through US economy. Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree, tell CBS News say: “The impact is really widespread and affects everything from mortgage rates to travel to grocery prices and on down the line.” Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee think say the Iran war risk fuel inflation, make am harder for central bank to ease interest rates in 2026.
US military figures show say 247 service members don get injured as part of US operations in Iran, with most returning to duty. The number of deaths still stand at 13, with seven considered hostile deaths. Maryland Governor Wes Moore fear say United States dey “lurching again into another forever war” paid for by American people with no clear articulation from Trump about what success look like.
Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah say he no go support measures to pass extra funding for military operation in Iran without declaration of war. Curtis write in op-ed say: “I will not support ongoing military action beyond a 60-day window without congressional approval,” referring to provision of 1970s-era War Powers Act wey cap engagements without authorization from Congress at 60 days. The war begin 34 days ago.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni continue visit to Gulf with stop in Qatar on Saturday, pledge to help restore gas infrastructure damaged by Iranian bombing. Meloni na first EU, G20 and NATO leader to visit Gulf region since start of US-Israel war on Iran. She begin two-day visit on Friday in Saudi Arabia and also schedule to visit United Arab Emirates.
Finance ministers of Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Austria dey urge European Union to impose bloc-wide windfall tax on energy companies amid surge in oil and gas prices driven by war in Iran. In letter to European Commission, the five ministers say the conflict in Middle East dey “placing a significant burden on the European economy and on European citizens.”
Iran internet blackout, first imposed well over month ago, now na longest nationwide shutdown on record according to monitor NetBlocks. The blackout don enter 37th consecutive day after 864 hours. NetBlocks note say some countries don experience intermittent or regional-level shutdowns for extended periods, while North Korea never connect to global internet at all.
As tensions continue to escalate, world leaders dey struggle to figure out how to reopen Strait of Hormuz. United Nations Security Council don postpone meeting to consider proposal from Bahrain on the strait to Saturday. The Council now expected to vote Saturday on proposal from Bahrain wey go authorize defensive action to ensure vessels can safely transit the waterway.
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